China Medal 1857-60. With 3 x clasps 'China 1842', 'Taku Forts 1860' & 'Pekin 1860'

An un-named and un-marked campaign medal as issued to Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel

Rarity: Reference 'British Battles and Medals' (Seventh Edition, 2006) it is estimated that only 93 x 'China 1842' clasps were issued to qualifying personnel. A digital search of the on-line medal Naval China rolls shows only 2 x men, both Naval Officers, who were entitled to these 3 x clasps viz:

- Lord John Hay, C.B. (Midshipman, H.M.S. 'Endimyon' 1842; Captain H.M.S. 'Odin' 1860
- George Ommaney Willes (Midshipman, H.M.S. 'Cornwallis' 1842; Captain H.M.S. 'Chesapeake' 1860

The important reference work by Captain Kenneth J. Douglas-Morris 'Naval Medals 1857-1880' (1994), shows a slightly higher tally of 'China 1842' clasps awarded to Naval and Royal Marines recipients, with his work recording 101 x 'China 1842' clasps comprising 45 x clasps to Royal Navy Officers & 42 x clasps to 'Ratings', while 1 x Officer of the Royal Marines & 13 x Other Ranks of the Royal Marines qualified for the 'China 1842' clasp. The Douglas-Morris book, contains a listing of all 101 x recipients

An excessively rare medal clasp combination, including the rare 'China 1842' clasp denoting that the recipient of this particular medal had the distinction of serving in both the earlier 'First Opium War 1839-1842', as well as in the the later 'Second Opium War 1857-1860', and of which there are only two attributed recipients of such a medal clasp combination.

Rare

Condition: GVF

Code: 24065